Department for Transport

Motor Vehicles: Tax Rates and Bands

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's news story of 30 January 2017, new vehicle tax rate from 1 April 2017, what steps his Department and Cabinet colleagues are taking to raise awareness of those new vehicle tax rates; and what the cost to the public purse of publicising those new rates will be.

Andrew Jones: Since the beginning of December 2016, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has launched no cost marketing activities to publicise the vehicle excise duty (VED) rates, which will apply to vehicles first registered from 1 April 2017. The campaign aimed towards the general public is being run across social media and is supported by messages on DVLA literature. The DVLA and HM Treasury are also engaging with vehicle manufacturers to encourage them to raise awareness with their retailers and customers on the impact of the changes. This initial campaign is being supported by paid for publicity activity to target potential new car buyers in the run up to 1 April 2017. This will include messages on internet search engines and on key motor trade websites. The planned cost is up to £95,000 including VAT; £8,000 was spent on the first phase in January. All communications point to a page on GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/newvehicletaxrates) which gives further detail of the changes. Any paid for communications activity costing over £100,000 would be subject to central government spend controls.

Department for Transport: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many security passes into his Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in his Department.

Mr John Hayes: My Department does not have a business or security need to separate the information between these defined categories therefore we do not record them in this way. However from central records I can confirm that the total number of passes currently issued to non-civil servants by DfTc and our Agencies where there is a business need is 2,410. The issuing of all passes is controlled by the Departmental and Agency Security teams who robustly manage the life cycle ensuring that strict processes are followed before a pass is authorised and ultimately revoked.

Shipping: Exhaust Emissions

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2017 to Question 62467, on shipping: pollution control, whether any UK registered vessels were detained for infringement of provisions of Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships in (a) 2015 and (b) 2016.

Mr John Hayes: The number of UK registered vessels that were detained for infringement of provisions of Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships was (a) one in 2015 and (b) none in 2016.

Road Traffic Offences: EU Nationals

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that drivers from other EU member states who are charged with traffic offences in the UK are dealt with effectively by their national authorities.

Andrew Jones: The UK Government does not seek to intervene in the manner in which other EU Governments deal with their citizens. Nonetheless, foreign drivers are subject to UK laws and penalties whilst using UK roads and can be fined or prosecuted for violating those laws or served with a Penalty Charge Notice for civil contraventions. Where a foreign-registered vehicle appears to be a persistent offender, local authorities may opt to use their powers to clamp or remove the vehicle to ensure the vehicle operator complies with parking restrictions and pays any penalty charges that are due. Courts are legally required to notify DVLA of any penalty and it is recorded in its database for use in any future sentencing or licence application. Although penalty points allocated to foreign licence holders driving in this country do not appear on their national licences, they still count towards a disqualification under the “totting-up” provisions in this country.

Shipping: Exhaust Emissions

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2017 to Question 62467, on shipping: pollution control, how many vessels on routes in the sulphur emission control areas were inspected for compliance with Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships in (a) 2015 and (b) 2016.

Mr John Hayes: The number of vessels on routes in the sulphur emission control areas that were inspected at UK ports that fall within these areas, for compliance with Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships was (a) 21 in 2015 and (b) 501 in 2016.

Bus Services

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of quality partnership schemes between 2010 and 2016.

Andrew Jones: The post legislative assessment of the Local Transport Act 2008, published in November 2013, includes an assessment of how the Quality Partnership Scheme measures have been operating. It can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/259164/pla-lta2008.pdf A further assessment of the effectiveness of existing legislative tools for improving local bus markets, including Quality Partnership Scheme provisions, was included as part of the Impact Assessment that accompanies the Bus Services Bill. The impact assessment was published in June 2016 and can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/558392/the-bus-services-bill-impact-assessments.pdf

Electric Vehicles

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to incentivise the use of electric cars.

Mr John Hayes: We are investing more than £600m to 2020 in addition to a further £270m announced at the Autumn Statement, funding one the most comprehensive packages of support in the world for ultra-low emission vehicles.

Driving under Influence

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the reasons why the number of deaths caused by drink-driving has increased each year since 2010.

Andrew Jones: The estimated number of people killed in accidents where at least one driver was over the alcohol limit has remained at 240 each year since 2010. The exceptions were 2012, for which the estimate is 230, and the provisional results for 2015, for which the estimate is 220. Once uncertainty is taken into account the figure should be regarded as being unchanged since 2010. During that time traffic has increased by 4.5%.

Southern: Standards

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2017 to Question 62343, for what reasons the technical advice from Chris Gibb has not been made publicly available.

Paul Maynard: Chris Gibb’s recommendations will be published in due course. The Department is currently considering his recommendations and will publish a response.

Birmingham Airport

Ms Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to support the growth of Birmingham Airport in his Department's planned aviation strategy.

Mr John Hayes: I refer the honourable Member to my answer to the Rt Honourable Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Liam Byrne), on 3 February 2017, UIN 61822(http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=61822). The new aviation strategy will be for the long term and will cover the whole sector, including airports. We will be carrying out full and constructive engagement with the industry and other partners in the sector around the country.

Birmingham Airport

Ms Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Midlands Connect on ensuring its strategy promotes the importance of Birmingham Airport.

Mr John Hayes: I refer the honourable Member to my answer to the Rt honourable Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Liam Byrne), on 6 February 2017, UIN 62056(http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&member=1171&dept=27).

Severn River Crossing: Ownership

Craig Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Severn Bridges will return to public ownership.

Mr John Hayes: The private concession will end once Severn River Crossing PLC have recovered an agreed amount of revenue from users. This amount is £1,028,910,000 (in July 1989 prices). We expect this revenue to be fully recovered some time between late 2017 and early 2018, depending on traffic flows, and both crossings will return to public ownership after that.

Severn River Crossing: Tolls

Craig Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the proposed timescale is for installing a free-flow toll system on the Severn Bridges.

Mr John Hayes: The timing of any potential installation of free-flow tolling has yet to be decided. If following the consultation it is decided to further consider the case for free-flow then we will set out the further steps necessary and this may lead to a further consultation on its implementation.

Roads: Safety

Derek Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve road safety for children near schools.

Andrew Jones: My Department issued revised guidance in January 2013 aimed at local authorities who are responsible for setting speed limits on local roads. This guidance advises traffic authorities to keep speed limits under review and consider, over time, introducing 20mph speed limits or zones in urban areas and built-up village streets that are primarily residential, to ensure greater safety for pedestrians and cyclists. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits Local authorities can place signs warning road users that there is a school ahead and children are likely to be crossing. We give advice on this in Chapter 9 of the Traffic Signs Manual https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/226765/traffic-signs-manual-chapter-09.pdf. We also support child road safety through our THINK! educational resources. We are updating our current programme to include a framework for age appropriate Road Safety Education skills and appropriate material for education practitioners.

Heathrow Airport: Apprentices

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the number of new apprenticeships resulting from the expansion of Heathrow airport; and what assessment he has made of the effect of that expansion on the skill bank of workers in local communities.

Mr John Hayes: Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) has publicly committed to create10,000 new apprenticeships ‎by 2030 at an expanded airport, thereby doubling the number offered. The draft Airports National Policy Statement laid before Parliament on Thursday 2 February also sets out the Government's expectation that the airport will maximise the employment and skills opportunities for local residents to share the benefits of expansion with neighbouring communities. HAL itself has pledged to reduce youth employment in the five boroughs closest to the airport with expansion at the airport expected to generate tens of thousands of local jobs by 2030.

Home Office

Drugs: Misuse

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of deaths from illegal drug use.

Sarah Newton: Evidence based, high-quality treatment is the most effective way of tackling illicit and other harmful drug use. It enables people to recover from dependence, improves their physical and mental health and reduces the harm caused to themselves and people around them, including reducing crime.We have provided local authorities, through the Public Health Grant, with millions of pounds to ensure that they are able to commission effective and efficient drug treatment services and are currently updating clinical guidance so that clinicians will have the latest evidence based guidance on how to help people with drug problems.But we are clear that this has to be part of a balanced approach to drugs, so as well as helping people overcome their drug problems, we are also working to prevent and reduce drug use in our communities, while ensuring that our drugs laws are enforced.

Exclusion Orders

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been barred from entering the UK for having engaged in unacceptable behaviour in each of the last five years.

Mr Ben Wallace: The number of Unacceptable Behaviour exclusions is published in the Contest counter-terrorism strategy annual report.The figures for 2013, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:2013 – 142014 – 152015 – 16

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority: Pensions

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2017 to Question 59477, what equalities assessment has been carried out on the cap on pensionable pay for final salary pension scheme members across the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate.

Jesse Norman: A full a Equalities Analysis (EA) will be undertaken in order to comply in full with all of the requirements by the Public Sector Equality Duty, as set out in the Equality Act 2010. The EA will assess the equality impacts of introducing a pensionable pay cap to two Nuclear Decommissioning Authority pension schemes which are in scope for public sector pension reform and will be taken into account by Government in finalising decisions. The EA will be published in due course.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many security passes into his Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in his Department.

Margot James: The Department does not provide specific numbers or details on passes issued by the Departmental Security Unit. It issues security passes to Contractors not directly employed by the Department but who support it in its work, and to frequent visitors with a business need. It also issues security passes to Contractors who are not civil servants but work within the Department.

Nuclear Reactors

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government's Response to the Energy and Climate Change Committee's Sixth Special Report of Session 2014-15, HC1105, when his Department plans to publish its techno-economic assessment of the development of small modular reactors in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The techno-economic assessment (TEA) of small modular reactors (SMRs) was commissioned to provide a stronger evidence base to assess the benefits and risks of SMR deployment and inform a policy decision on whether the Government should support the development and deployment of SMRs within the UK. Together with phase one engagement, the findings of the TEA are being used in policy development, which remains under way. We will provide further information on the Government’s plan for the publication of the TEA in due course.

Nuclear Reactors

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish his Department's road map for the development of small modular reactors; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: Policy development is under way for small modular reactors. Phase One of the competition remains open, and plans for the future of the competition will be shared with the House in due course.

Green Investment Bank

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what criteria his Department used to determine the preferred bidder in the sale of the Green Investment Bank; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Nick Hurd: In its “Green Investment Bank: sale of shares” report laid before Parliament on 3 March 2016, the Government set out its objectives for the sale and the process by which the sale would be conducted. Bids have been evaluated at each stage of the process against the Government’s sale objectives.

Pregnancy: Discrimination

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to tackle discrimination against women who are expecting or have children; and what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legislation on maternity and flexible working pay.

Margot James: On 26 January the Government responded to the Women and Equalities Select Committee report on pregnancy and maternity discrimination, setting out measures to protect pregnant women and new mothers in the workplace. This included a commitment to review existing redundancy protections. A copy of that response can be found here.The parental leave and pay system was reviewed in 2011 as part of the modern workplaces consultation. This resulted in the introduction of the Shared Parental Leave and Pay system in 2015 and the extension of the Right to Request Flexible Working to all employees with six months’ continuous service in 2014. These policies are due to be evaluated in 2018-2019.

Post Office

Simon Hoare: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Post Office on the level of government investment in the Post Office and its profitability.

Margot James: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy regularly engages with the Post Office on issues affecting the network including on the levels of investment, its overall profitability and thus sustainability. During the period 2010 to 2018, nearly £2bn of Government investment will have been provided to help maintain and protect a network of at least 11,500 post offices across the country with coverage in line with national access criteria, and to invest in modernisation and transformation of that network.

Energy: Conservation

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2017 to Question 61718, on energy: conservation, if he will make representations to the energy sector and the construction industry on developing more apprenticeship standards for energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The Government is working with industry to support robust and effective energy efficiency standards, taking into account the recommendations of the recently published Each Home Counts review. This includes recommendations regarding skills and training in the sector. Implementation of the recommendations will, as proposed by the review itself, be led by industry, and Government will work constructively with the sector to understand how and when they propose to implement the recommendations.Employer led Trailblazers are designing apprenticeships that are responsive to the needs of business. A variety of standards has been developed, or is in development, to help employers in the energy efficiency sector and the construction industry develop the skills they need to grow their businesses. A list of published standards can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-standards-list-of-occupations-available.

Counterfeit Manufacturing: Electrical Engineering

Dame Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to prevent counterfeit electrical goods from entering the UK.

Joseph Johnson: The Government views the problem of counterfeit electrical goods extremely seriously and a range of work is ongoing that aims to intercept and prevent all types of counterfeit products entering the UK. The Government is working closely with a number of source countries around the world to prevent counterfeit goods being shipped. When suspected counterfeit items are identified at the UK’s borders, customs legislation enables goods arriving from outside the EU to be detained and destroyed, which prevents them from entering the UK market. The National Trading Standards ‘Safety at Ports and Borders Teams’ work across 14 local authorities at ports, airports and postal hubs intercepting dangerous and illegal items, including electrical appliances. The UK is also part of the EU rapid alert system for dangerous consumer products. This range of measures, together with proactive enforcement, is having a very positive preventative impact on the import of counterfeit goods.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Burma: Rohingya

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the establishment of a UN inquiry into alleged human rights violations committed against the Rohingya by the Burmese Army and security forces.

Alok Sharma: We have called repeatedly for an independent investigation into allegations of human rights violations in Rakhine. The UN High Commissioner for Human rights has already issued a substantive report on the widespread and alarming level human rights violations carried out by the military Rakhine State since 9 October. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Burma also referred to them in her press briefing following her visit in January. Her full report is due out in March ahead of the Human Rights Council, at which we will advocate for a full renewal of her mandate. In the light of the two reports we will also consider, with our EU and international partners, what scope there is for further enhancing scrutiny of the military's actions in Rakhine.We support the Rakhine Advisory Commission led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, which is due to report in the summer. This has the support of the Burmese Government and the international community, and therefore represents the most realistic way forward.In the meantime, we strongly urge the Burmese military to show restraint and to permit humanitarian access to the affected areas.

Israel: Embassies

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on the basing of the British Embassy in Tel Aviv; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: ​The UK position on Jerusalem has not changed; the British Embassy is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many security passes into his Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in his Department.

Alok Sharma: The number of Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) passes which are issued fluctuates over time. As a matter of policy, the FCO does not publicise numbers of passes issued.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Department for Exiting the European Union: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many security passes into his Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in his Department.

Mr David Jones: Passes are issued to contractors, secondees, public sector workers (e.g. Non Departmental Public Bodies) and Crown Servants (e.g. Police and Military Forces), as well as to Civil Servants where it is necessary and appropriate to do so. This enables teams to work flexibly and effectively to best support the departments need. The number of these passes fluctuates depending on business requirements.Use of all security passes are underpinned by strong physical security policies, access control procedures and technologies which provide a clear process and assurance mechanism that enables the department to work with an integrated workforce in a secure manner.

Wales Office

Wales Office: Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the total pay bill was for (a) male and (b) female employees in his Department in 2015-16; and what the average per capita spend from that pay bill was for men and women in that year.

Guto Bebb: The Wales Office is not an employer in its own right and most staff are employed by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Pay bill figures for men and women in each department can vary significantly based on representation at different grades and how many staff in the department are in full or part time work. A more meaningful way of considering existing pay disparities amongst men and women would be to look at each department’s gender pay gap. The Civil Service has been publishing mean and median gender pay gaps for each department since 2008 as part of the annual release of Civil Service Statistics by the Office for National Statistics. The latest gender pay gap data (published in October earlier this year) can be found on the Office for National Statistics website:http://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/bulletins/civilservicestatistics

Department for Education

Academic Freedom

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representation she has received on the effect of university and college diversity officers on academic freedom.

Joseph Johnson: The Department has not received any representations on the effect of university and college diversity officers on academic freedom.

Schools: North Tyneside

Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase funding for schools with a high concentration of students with special educational needs in North Tyneside.

Edward Timpson: Schools are currently funded through the formula set by their local authority, which often uses factors such as low prior attainment and free school meals to give an estimate of the number of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) a school is likely to have. Where the cost of additional support for a child with SEN in the mainstream schools exceeds £6,000, the local authority also provides top-up funding to the school from its high needs budget. Local authorities can also give additional funding from their high needs budgets to schools that have a high concentration of pupils with SEN. We are currently consulting on proposals for new national funding formulae for both schools and high needs, which will be introduced in 2018-19. These proposals will not change the flexibility that local authorities have to move funding from their high needs budgets to schools. As a result of our proposals, North Tyneside Council’s funding for high needs pupils would increase by 1.8% and schools in the area would see, on average, a 0.6% increase in their funding

Department for Education: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many security passes into her Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in her Department.

Caroline Dinenage: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Apprentices: Females

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2016 to Question 54215, on apprentices: females, how much funding her Department has (a) allocated and (b) spent on encouraging women to take up apprenticeships in construction, IT and engineering.

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2016 to Question 54215, on apprentices: females, what assessment she has made of the effect of the Get In Go Far campaign on the number of women taking up apprenticeships in construction, IT and engineering.

Robert Halfon: The Department for Education’s Get In Go Far marketing campaign has a broad remit to encourage the demand for apprenticeships among young people, and the supply of apprenticeship places among employers. There is no specific budget allocation to promote apprenticeships to females in any sector, but the campaign’s creative currently includes strong female role models in engineering and IT.The effect of the campaign is measured by awareness and consideration of apprenticeships among young people, and engagement with the campaign through visits to the Get In Go Far microsite. Since launch in May 2016, tracking research shows that the level of awareness of apprenticeships among both genders has remained constant at 73 per cent, and the campaign has generated more than 1.7 million visits to the microsite.In the 2015/16 Academic Year almost 53% of apprenticeship starts were by women.

Pre-school Education: Teachers

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of applications for early years teacher training programmes.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department will be publishing a workforce strategy in due course, which will seek to remove the barriers to attracting, retaining and developing staff. The strategy will include a focus on what government can do to help grow the graduate workforce.

Schools: Haringey

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has visited any schools in Haringey since her appointment to her post.

Caroline Dinenage: My Rt. Hon Friend the Secretary of State has not visited a school in Haringey in the course of her official duties, since her appointment as Education Secretary.

Ministry of Justice

Children: Custody

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions she has had with the Family Justice Board on handling vexatious repeated requests relating to access to children; and if she will make a statement.

Sir Oliver Heald: The family court already has powers to deal with vexatious applications in respect of children. It is unacceptable that some people use the court process to continue harassment of their ex-partners. When disposing of proceedings under the Children Act 1989 about a child’s upbringing, and whether or not the court makes any order about the child, the court may make an order under section 91(14) of that Act. This order will name a person who is considered by the court to be vexatious and will restrict their ability to make further specified applications in respect of the child concerned without first obtaining the court’s permission. The court may decide to make such an order either of its own motion or in response to a request by a party to the proceedings. The Family Justice Board has not discussed this specific issue.

Prison Officers: Health Hazards

Mr Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to protect prison officers from the harmful effects of psychoactive substances used by prisoners.

Mr Sam Gyimah: We take a zero tolerance approach to drugs in prisons. Psychoactive substances present a variety of risks to our establishments, not just to the individuals taking them but also to other prisoners and staff. We are committed to improving safety across the prison estate and are already taking action on the supply and use of dangerous psychoactive substances by prisoners. We have developed an innovative new drug testing programme, trained over 300 drug detection dogs to specifically detect psychoactive substances and introduced new legislation, which makes it a criminal offence to possess any psychoactive substance in a custodial institution. All prisons have robust risk assessments and control measures in place, including local first aid and healthcare provisions. If staff suspect they have been exposed to drugs or psychoactive substances, there are a range of support mechanisms available to them. This includes confidential counselling, occupational health services and care-teams in prisons. Following any suspected exposure, staff are also advised to visit the nearest Accident & Emergency Department so that their symptoms can be treated and the appropriate medical advice can be received.

Leader of the House

Leader of the House of Commons: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Leader of the House, how many security passes into his Office are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in his Office.

Mr David Lidington: The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 14 February 2017, to Question UIN 63256.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Arts

Nigel Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that the diverse needs of the creative industries will be supported after the UK leaves the EU.

Matt Hancock: The Creative Industries are one of the UK’s greatest success stories, contributing over £87 billion to the economy (5.7% GVA) and over £19 billion in exports. We are working closely for example through the Creative Industries Council (CIC), who represent the whole of the creative industries, to understand both the possible opportunities and impacts presented by the UK’s decision leaving the EU. We have also hosted a series of roundtables with businesses and industry representatives from across the creative industries to discuss these matters. We are committed to helping our world-leading creative industries thrive in a post-brexit Britain. We have also announced a sector review of the creative industries as part of the recently published Industrial Strategy Green Paper to help underpin their future prosperity.

Copyright

Nigel Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her policy is on whether the UK will be able to protect the territoriality of copyright after the UK leaves the EU.

Matt Hancock: The Government agrees that copyright owners should remain able to tailor content to different markets and to license on a territorial basis. While we remain in the EU we will continue to take an active part in negotiations regarding the digital single market ensuring British views are heard. After the UK leaves the EU it will continue to be a member of the Berne Convention and other copyright treaties which recognise the territoriality of copyright.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many security passes into her Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in her Department.

Matt Hancock: I refer the hon member to my answer to PQ 62532.

Mass Media: Education

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much her Department has spent on promoting media literacy in each year since 2008.

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many officials in her Department work on promoting media literacy.

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to promote media literacy.

Matt Hancock: Ofcom is responsible for promoting Media Literacy, including through annual research on the media lives and attitudes of adults and children, and works closely with other agencies who use the findings to develop specific actions and initiatives to promote Media Literacy. We regularly engage with Ofcom in the discharging of their duties.

Alcoholic Drinks: Advertising

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to review the effect of alcohol advertising on 10 to 15-year-olds following the recent report from Public Health England on alcohol control policies.

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the findings of the Public Health England report entitled The Public Health Burden of Alcohol and the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Alcohol Control Policies on the violation of self-regulation alcohol marketing codes in the UK; and what steps she plans to take in relation to vulnerable populations as a result.

Matt Hancock: Government is committed to working with industry to address concerns over irresponsible alcohol promotions, advertising and marketing, particularly to ensure vulnerable people are protected. Current industry codes are exceptionally robust, recognising the social imperative of ensuring alcohol advertising is responsible. The Advertising Standards Authority reviews its codes regularly to ensure they remain effective.

Social Networking: Regulation

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has undertaken an assessment of the potential merits of introducing proposals for the regulation of online dating sites.

Tracey Crouch: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has not undertaken an assessment of the potential merits of introducing proposals for the regulation of online dating sites.

Mobile Phones: Morley and Outwood

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the reliability and affordability of mobile coverage in Morley and Outwood.

Matt Hancock: Improving mobile connectivity across the UK is a priority for the Government. The legally binding licence obligations arising from the December 2014 agreement require each Mobile Network Operator to provide voice/SMS text coverage to at least 90% of the UK’s landmass by end-2017. This locked in investment of £5 billion and is delivering improved coverage across the UK. Ofcom's 2016 Connected Nations Report shows that 99% of UK premises now have indoor voice coverage and 96% have indoor 4G data coverage. Our recent reforms to mobile planning laws and proposed reforms of the Electronic Communications Code, will support further investment and improvements in connectivity across the UK and reduce not spots. A competitive market in the UK has also benefitted consumers with the UK having one of the lowest prices in Europe for mobile connectivity.

5G

Richard  Arkless: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to support the rollout of 5G.

Matt Hancock: The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK seizes the opportunity to be a world leader in 5G. At the 2016 Autumn Statement, the Government announced £1bn of new funding to boost the UK’s digital infrastructure, including significant funding for a new programme of fibre and 5G trials. We will be publishing further details on this programme at Budget, alongside a new 5G strategy.

Department for Work and Pensions

Disability Living Allowance: Lancashire

Julie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many appeals against decisions to refuse disability living allowance were (a) lodged, (b) upheld and (c) dismissed in respect of children resident in (i) Blackburn and Darwen, (ii) Burnley, (iii) Hyndburn, (iv) Pendle, (v) Ribble Valley and (vi) Rossendale and Chorley in (A) 2011, (B) 2012, (C) 2013, (D) 2014, (E) 2015 and (F) 2016.

Julie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many appeals were lodged against decisions to refuse incapacity benefit in (a) Blackburn and Darwen, (b) Burnley, (c) Hyndburn, (d) Pendle, (e) Ribble Valley and (f) Rossendale and Chorley in (i) 2011, (ii) 2012, (iii) 2013, (iv) 2014, (v) 2015 and (vi) 2016.

Julie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many appeals against decisions to refuse incapacity benefit were dismissed in (a) Blackburn and Darwen, (b) Burnley, (c) Hyndburn, (d) Pendle, (e) Ribble Valley and (f) Rossendale and Chorley in (i) 2011, (ii) 2012, (iii) 2013, (iv) 2014, (v) 2015 and (vi) 2016.

Julie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many appeals were lodged against decisions to refuse employment and support allowance in (a) Blackburn and Darwen, (b) Burnley, (c) Hyndburn, (d) Pendle, (e) Ribble Valley and (f) Rossendale and Chorley in (i) 2011, (ii) 2012, (iii) 2013, (iv) 2014, (v) 2015 and (vi) 2016.

Julie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many appeals against decisions to refuse (a) disability living allowance, (b) personal independence payments, (c) employment and support allowance and (d) incapacity benefit were (i) upheld and (ii) dismissed in respect of adults resident in (1) Blackburn and Darwen (2) Burnley, (3) Hyndburn, (4) Pendle, (5) Ribble Valley and (6) Rossendale and Chorley in (A) 2011, (B) 2012, (C) 2013, (D) 2014, (E) 2015 and (F) 2016.

Penny Mordaunt: The information requested is not available. Neither the Ministry of Justice, who publish the official appeal statistics, nor the Department for Work and Pensions, which collates its own data on appeals, has information about appeals made only against refusals. The information that is available is in relation to all appeals lodged for any given benefit.

Occupational Pensions

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the written statement of 12 December 2016, (HCW 5339), what the planned (a) timetable and (b) content is for the Automatic Enrolment 2017 Review.

Richard Harrington: On 12 December 2016, I set out the scope of the 2017 review of automatic enrolment. On 8 February 2017 I set out further detail on the review, including its terms of reference and the membership of the external advisory group. Through the review we will be seeking to build on the success of automatic enrolment to date. So far over 7.1 million individuals have been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension by more than 370,000 employers. The review will look at how we can ensure that automatic enrolment continues to meet the needs of individuals saving for their retirement in the future, and that the technical operation of the policy is working as intended. It is important that we begin early conversations around the central issues covered by the review of automatic enrolment, and I recognise people are keen to engage on these. That is why on 8 February 2017 I published a set of initial questions on the main themes, including coverage, engagement and future contributions. I have invited views and evidence by 22 March 2017 to help inform our considerations. We will, of course, formally consult on any proposals that require legislative change. As I set out in my previous statement, my Department’s work will be supported by an external advisory group. The three co-chairs of the group are:Jamie Jenkins (Head of Pensions Strategy, Standard Life), who will support the work around the theme of coverage of automatic enrolment;Ruston Smith (Trustee Director at Peoples’ Pension), who will support the work around strengthening personal engagement with work place pensions, and;Chris Curry (Director, Pensions Policy Institute), who will support the work which begins to develop the evidence base on future contributions. The other members of this group are: Carl Emmerson, Deputy Director, Institute of Fiscal StudiesJane Vass, Head of public policy, Age UKNeil Carberry, Director for people and skills, Confederation of British IndustryLinda Ellett, KPMG, partner – Tax and Pensions PracticeNigel Stanley, NEST Members’ Panel, ChairJocelyn Blackwell, Trustee Director NOW: PensionsJudith Hogarth, Employment and Pensions, EEF I am delighted to be working with a team representing such a breadth of experience and expertise and look forward to the insight they will bring to help shape the review and any proposals. We will of course reach out to others as part of this review, including intermediary organisations such as employer consultants and payroll firms.  Towards the end of this year I will publish a report to Parliament. A copy of the terms of reference and the initial questions for the review are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/expert-advisory-group-appointed-to-the-automatic-enrolment-review.

Ministry of Defence

Yemen: Military Intervention

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK service personnel are embedded with or seconded to the national armed forces of other countries in the coalition participating in Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen.

Sir Michael Fallon: Around 80 UK Service personnel are either embedded with or seconded to the national Armed Forces of the 10 countries involved in Operation RESTORING HOPE. No UK Service personnel are taking part in coalition operations in Yemen.

Yemen: Military Intervention

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK service personnel have been embedded with or seconded to coalition forces participating in Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen; and what roles those personnel are performing.

Sir Michael Fallon: The UK does not have any embedded or seconded Service personnel taking part in coalition operations in Yemen.

Bomb Disposal: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to recognise the bravery and sacrifice of members of Army bomb disposal units who were killed or maimed during the Troubles in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: We recognise the debt and gratitude owed to all the Service personnel, and their families, who serve or have served in the Armed Forces. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community has long performed a particularly challenging and courageous role, including in Northern Ireland during the period 1969-2007.Honours and decorations have rightly been bestowed on the EOD community in recognition of their selfless courage and commitment in Northern Ireland and elsewhere. In June 2016 the EOD Memorial at the National Arboretum was dedicated to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Ukraine: Military Exercises

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the progress of the UK military training programme in Ukraine; what assessment he has made of the effect of recent fatalities on the operational effectiveness of the Ukrainian armed forces; and what steps he is taking within the training programme to reduce the risk of further Ukrainian military casualties.

Mark Lancaster: Through Operation ORBITAL, the UK continues to deliver valuable defensive, non-escalatory training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). The Secretary of State for Defence recently visited Ukraine and was able to hear first-hand how UK training is building resilience within the UAF and helping to save lives. The recent extension of Operation ORBITAL for a further year is a sign of continued UK support to Ukraine and its Armed Forces. We will continue to keep our support under regular review to maximise the effectiveness of the training that it delivers. Additionally, the UK has gifted first aid kits, warm weather clothing and body armour to the UAF, all of which aim to reduce the risk of Ukrainian military casualties and help to save lives. I also offer my sincere condolences for the continued loss of life suffered by the UAF while defending their country.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Affordable Housing

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 25 January 2017 to Question 60366, if he will publish his Department's unpublished impact assessment on the changes to the affordable housing programme announced in the Autumn Statement 2016.

Gavin Barwell: I refer the Rt Hon Member to my reply to Question 60366.The fiscal impact of the changes on public finances was included as part of the OBR’s policy costings for Autumn Statement 2016, which can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/571402/Policy_Costings_AS_2016_web_final.pdf

Department for Communities and Local Government: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many security passes into his Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in his Department.

Mr Marcus Jones: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Antisemitism

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps (a) he and (b) the Government has taken to make public its policy against Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism since May 2015.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Government has a clear policy of tackling anti-Semitism and condemns any organisation or individual that attempts to deny the Holocaust. In December 2016, the Prime Minister announced that the UK is the first European Union country formally to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of anti-Semitism. We believe that the definition, although legally non-binding, is an important tool for criminal justice agencies, and other public bodies to understand how anti-Semitism manifests itself in the 21st century. In addition we recently published a progress report on our efforts to tackle anti-Semitism which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-semitism-update

Department for International Development

UN Commission on the Status of Women

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2016 to Question 53867, who will represent the Government at the 61st session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March 2017.

James Wharton: Government representation at the 61st session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March 2017 is in the process of being finalised.

Developing Countries: Children

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2017 to Question 61410, on developing countries: children, how her Department measures the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance which is not included in her Department's annual targets.

James Wharton: DFID programmes are assessed by annual reviews during the course of the intervention and again by project completion reports when they conclude to test their effectiveness.In 2016 the UK’s Multilateral Development Review systematically assessed the performance and effectiveness of 38 multilateral institutions, including humanitarian partners who respond to crises involving vulnerable people including children.Agencies were scored against results, value for money, risk and assurance, transparency, accountability, alongside their relevance in meeting today’s most urgent challenges. This is a more rigorous measurement of humanitarian impact than analysis based on annual targets. In response, 30% of our core funding to UN humanitarian organisations will be dependent on improved results and effectiveness.

Ukraine: Humanitarian Aid

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent representations she has made to the Governments of (a) Ukraine and (b) Russia on humanitarian access to eastern Ukraine; what assessment she has made of the effect of recent fighting on civilian infrastructure in that region; and what steps she is taking to assist civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in that region.

James Wharton: The UK has consistently called on all sides to grant humanitarian agencies full and unhindered access to vulnerable people affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine.Fighting around Avdiivka has resulted in a worrying deterioration in the humanitarian situation. Severe damage to civilian infrastructure and utilities means vulnerable people are forced to face sub-zero temperatures without reliable access to water, electricity or heating. On 31 January, the Foreign Secretary called for a full and sustained ceasefire, in line with the provisions of the Minsk agreements, to facilitate crucial repairs, restore vital utilities, and assist the vulnerable.UK Aid is helping to save lives and support civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many security passes into her Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in her Department.

George Eustice: My Department does not have a business or security need to separate the information between these defined categories therefore we do not record them in this way. Strict processes are followed before a pass is authorised and ultimately revoked.   Passes are issued to contractors, secondees, public sector workers (e.g. from Non Departmental Public Bodies) or Crown Servants such as Police or Military forces as well as to Civil Servants where it is necessary and appropriate to do so. This enables teams to work flexibly and effectively to best support the business need. Use of all security passes are underpinned by strong physical security focus, access control procedures and technologies, clear processes and assurance mechanisms that enable an integrated workforce to operate in a secure manner.

Shellfish: Non-native Species

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the spread of the invasive species of demon shrimp, dikerogammarus haemobaphes.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Defra’s “Check, Clean, Dry” campaign promotes good biosecurity to help slow the spread of invasive non-native species and, in particular, prevent their introduction to uninfected waterbodies. It is widely promoted to, by and amongst water users including water companies, anglers and recreational boaters. Government agencies routinely follow its good practice. Our focus has been on limiting the spread, when Dikerogammarus haemobaphes was identified in Great Britain it was already widespread within the canal and river network; as such eradication is not considered feasible. The Environment Agency has recently adopted a regulatory position that will reduce this risk and incentivise the water industry to develop methods for water transferred in this way to prevent the spread of these species. This is one of a number of invasive non-native species that can be spread through untreated water transferred from one region to another by water companies.

Inland Waterways: East of England

David Mackintosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the condition of the navigable waterways managed by the Environment Agency in the Anglian region.

David Mackintosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Environment Agency spent on the navigable waterways in the Anglian region in each of the last five years.

David Mackintosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Environment Agency plans to spend on the navigable waterways in the Anglian Region in each of the next three years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Environment Agency reports the condition of the essential navigation assets such as locks, landing stages and canoe portages on a quarterly basis. Assets are considered to be at a required condition if they do not have any defects that significantly reduce the performance of the asset, or adversely increase the safety risk to the public or Environment Agency staff. The Environment Agency regularly inspects all navigation assets. If there is a safety risk to members of the public then repairs will be undertaken to remove the risk or the asset will be closed. The information in the table below relates only to expenditure associated with navigation assets within Anglian Region. The Environment Agency also invests money on other assets and in-river works that provide benefit to navigation, for example in-river weed cutting for Flood and Coastal Risk Management purposes, and investment to weirs and sluices that maintain a water level for navigation.Anglian Waterways Expenditure2011-20122012-20132013-20142014-20152015-20162016-2017 ForecastTOTAL£5,839,710£5,299,677£5,704,044£4,125,984£4,142,018£4,919,461 Over the next three years the Environment Agency will continue to invest the income it receives from registration charges collected from the users on the Anglian waterways. From March 2017 this is expected to be £2,265m per annum. The Environment Agency also secures funding from within the organisation which is negotiated on an annual basis. As part of the 2015 Spending Review the Environment Agency’s capital settlement from Defra was £3m pa over the next three years to be spent across all our waterways. Funding will be allocated to assets which will benefit the most from investment. Anglian waterways will receive a proportion of this funding.

Air Pollution: Death

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of premature deaths attributed to particulate air pollution; and what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policies of Public Health England's report, Estimating local mortality burdens associated with particulate air pollution.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government have committed more than £2 billion since 2011 to reduce transport emissions and the Autumn Statement provided a further £290 million to support greener transport. We are developing the Air Pollution Action Plan. This is to tackle the five main pollutants: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia and fine particulate matter. The UK has agreed legally binding national ceilings for emissions of these pollutants by 2020 and 2030.

HM Treasury

Treasury: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many security passes into his Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in his Department.

Simon Kirby: HM Treasury is located in the Government Offices Great George Street (GOGGS) building with five other Government departments. While each department has its own pass, all the passes give access to all departmental areas within the building. The number of security passes issued is subject to frequent change due to staff turnover. The numbers mentioned below are correct for 13 February 2017. (a) The number of security passes for the GOGGS building that are issued to people not directly employed by HM Treasury is 5971; (b) The number of security passes for the GOGGS building that are issued to people who are not civil servants who work in the GOGGS complex is 343.

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office: Staff

Cat Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff of his Department at what grade were employed in the Cabinet Office youth policy team in July (a) 2014, (b) 2015 and (c) 2016.

Ben Gummer: The youth policy team transferred to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport under machinery of government changes during December 2016. At the time of the transfer, the team comprised:CO PaybandCS Equivalent GradeHeadcountSCS1SCS11*Band AGrade 75Band B2HEO/SEO6Band B1EO1Total Headcount13*Band A temporarily covering SCS1 post Previously, the youth policy team formed part of the Government Innovation Group and, more recently, the Office for Civil Society and Innovation and it is not possible to accurately determine the exact number of officials who worked in the team at that time.

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many cases accepted for investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman were classed as open in each month since January 2015.

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to move any of the operations carried out by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman outside of London.

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to converge services undertaken by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman with the Local Government Ombudsman.

Ben Gummer: The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is independent of Government. It publishes information on staffing and its performance in its Annual Report and Resource Accounts which are laid before Parliament. Operational decisions on the location of PHSO offices are also matters for the Ombudsman and the Hon. Member should write to the Ombudsman on these matters.The Government published the draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill in December 2016, setting out in detail its plans to introduce a new Public Service Ombudsman. The proposals contained in the draft Bill seek to bring together the responsibilities of the current Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and the Local Government Ombudsman to create a new organisation with strengthened governance and accountability. The Government intends to introduce the Bill when parliamentary time allows. A copy of the draft Bill has been placed in the Library of the House and it can also be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-public-service-ombudsman-bill

Cabinet Office: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many security passes into his Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in his Department.

Ben Gummer: As at the 31st of December 2016, the number of Building Access (security) passes issued by the Cabinet Office to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants and who work or regularly visit the Cabinet Office was 39. The numbers of such passes will fluctuate over the course of a year.Such passes are issued to contractors, secondees, other public sector workers or Crown Servant (such as the police or military forces) as well as to civil servants where it is necessary and appropriate to do so. This enables teams to work flexibly and effectively and best support the business need. The use of all such passes is underpinned by a strong physical security focus, access to control procedures and technologies, clear processes and assurance mechanisms that enable an integrated work force to operate in a secure manner.

Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2017 to Question 61923, what assessment he has made of the long-term risks to the financial performance of the Parliamentary Contributory Pensions Fund of that funds' investments in the fossil fuel extractive industry.

Ben Gummer: Investment decisions within the Parliamentary Contributory Pensions Fund, including consideration of risks arising from investments in the fossil fuel extractive industry, are a matter for the Trustees who receive professional advice regarding decisions about the management of scheme assets.

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many British citizens live in (a) the EU and (b) each EU country other than the UK.

Ben Gummer: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



UKSA Response to PQ63101
(PDF Document, 65.31 KB)

Data Steering Group

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2017 to Question 59728, what steps he plans to take to ensure that minutes of meetings of the Data Steering Group are published in a timely fashion.

Ben Gummer: Timely publication of meeting minutes is important for a transparent government. That is why we are committed to publishing the minutes quarterly, once they have been agreed at the following meeting. The minutes of the December 2016 meeting will be published by April 2017, after they have been agreed at the next meeting in March 2017.

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) on staffing and funding levels in the PHSO offices.

Chris Skidmore: I have not held any discussions with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on these matters. The Ombudsman is independent of Government and is accountable to Parliament, through the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, for its performance and the use of its resources. It is primarily resourced by funds approved by the House of Commons through the annual Supply & Appropriation Act.

Public Sector: Pay

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on when the Government plans to end the public sector pay freeze.

Ben Gummer: The Government greatly values the important work that public sector workers do to deliver essential public services. I hold regular bi-laterals with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The Summer Budget 2015 confirmed that the Government would fund public sector workforces for an average pay award of 1 per cent for the next four years.

House of Commons Commission

House of Commons Commission: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, which persons not employed by the House of Commons Commission hold security passes entitling them to enter the House of Commons Commission's premises.

Tom Brake: Persons not employed by the House of Commons Commission who hold security passes entitling them to enter the House of Commons estate are:Members of the House of Commons and their spouses/partnersMembers of the House of Lords and their spouses/partnersStaff of Members of both Houses, political party staff sponsored by Members and staff of party research unitsStaff of the House of LordsContractorsMembers of the Metropolitan Police contracted by ParliamentGovernment officialsSpecialist staff of parliamentary bodiesSpecialist AdvisersRoll A Agents & specified legal advisers used by the HouseMediaUnion representatives for House staffFormer Members of both HousesRetired senior parliamentary officialsResidents of the Parliamentary Estate

Department of Health

Department of Health: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many security passes into his Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in his Department.

David Mowat: Department buildings are occupied by various organisations including staff from the Department’s agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies who hold passes for access to the buildings.

Palliative Care: Hearing Impairment

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many deaf people have received end of life care in the last five years.

David Mowat: The information requested is not collected or held centrally in the format requested. However NHS Digital has provided the attached data on discharged patients receiving palliative care with a primary or secondary diagnosis of hearing loss.



PQ63504 attached document
(Excel SpreadSheet, 22.7 KB)

Palliative Care: Hearing Impairment

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS staff involved in end of life care have received bespoke British sign language and deaf awareness training for their work in the last five years.

David Mowat: This information is not collected or held centrally.

Dental Services: Registration

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average time is for which applicants to the National Dental Performers' List wait for their application to be processed in (a) NPL1, (b) NPL2 and (c) NPL3 categories.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many dentists in (a) NPL1, (b) NPL2 and (c) NPL3 categories are waiting for applications to the National Dental Performers List to be processed.

David Mowat: NHS England holds the contract with Capita for the administration of primary care support services, including the National Performers Lists, which includes the Dental Performers List. NHS England informs us that it currently does not hold information centrally on the average processing time for applicants to the National Dental Performers' List for NPL1, NPL2 and NPL3 categories. However, there is an expectation that applications should take 12 weeks to process. According to NHS England there are currently 867 new NPL1 applications to the Dental Performers List from Dental Foundation trainees being processed. They expect these to be completed as a priority. Applications, to change the status of the performer or the area in which they practice which are NPL2 and NPL3 applications, are made regularly. The number of these is not currently available from Capita or held centrally by NHS England.

Women and Equalities

Government Equalities Office: Security

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how many security passes into her Department are issued to people (a) not directly employed by and (b) who are not civil servants who work in her Department.

Caroline Dinenage: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Pupils: Bullying

Helen Hayes: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government Equalities Office is taking to ensure that schools are safe spaces for children and young people to learn without the threat of (a) sexual bullying, (b) LGBT bullying and (c) harassment.

Caroline Dinenage: Protecting women and girls from violence is a key priority for this Government.Working with partners like the PSHE Association, we are ensuring schools have access to safe, effective and high quality resources for teaching about healthy relationships. In February 2016 we launched “Disrespect Nobody”, the second phase of the teen relationship abuse campaign, encouraging teens to rethink their views on violence, controlling behaviour and consent. This followed on from the acclaimed ‘This is Abuse’ campaign.Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying is unacceptable and the Government is committed to tackling it.The Government Equalities Office has launched a £3m programme to invest in charities that are working to prevent and address homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools in England.

Equal Pay: Public Sector

Sarah Champion: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she plans to extend the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations to the public sector.

Caroline Dinenage: On 18 January we laid regulations which will require specified public sector employers, with at least 250 employees, to report on the gender pay differences of their employees. The provisions in the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017 have largely been replicated in the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties and Public Authorities) Regulations 2017. The legislation can be found at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2017/9780111153277/contents. Subject to Parliamentary approval, these regulations will come into force in March 2017 and the specified public bodies will need to publish their first set of gender pay gap data before 30 March 2018. Both sets of regulations will require the same gender pay gap calculations and use the same methodology for calculating the data.

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Sarah Champion: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2016 to Question 57766, when she plans to confirm the budget for the Equality and Human Rights Commission for (a) 2017-18, (b) 2018-19 and (c) 2019-20.

Caroline Dinenage: I hope to be in a position to confirm budgets for these years shortly.

Pornography: Internet

Sarah Champion: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2017 to Question 62006, when in 2017 she plans to make an announcement on funding arrangements for the revenge porn helpline.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government is committed to supporting victims of revenge pornography. The Government Equalities Office has funded the establishment of the service and any funding decisions will be made later in the year.

Racial Violence

Jim Shannon: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on the handling of racially motivated attacks.

Caroline Dinenage: My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Education regularly meets Cabinet colleagues including the Home Secretary, and discusses a wide range of policy and delivery issues.